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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Content of the module
• Dispatching technologies• Optimisation tools• Booking and passenger information technology• IVR automated notification• Telecommunications: Internet, wireless, positioning • Vehicle interaction technologies• In-vehicle equipment• Payment systems
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Common features of full Dispatch Software (1/3)
• Pre-registering customer details and default outward and return journeys
• Locating and logging pick-up and drop-off locations• Fast searching of available routes and vehicles and
automatic allocation of bookings to vehicles• Offer alternative vehicles where appropriate• Group bookings facility, with the ability to amend
individual bookings once made
Brand (2003)
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Common features of full Dispatch Software (2/3)
• Block booking, for example, every Wednesday for six months
• Define vehicles as restricted for particular group use• Easy definition and drawing of routes, areas and
stops through digital mapping• Only offering suitable vehicles catering for the needs
of customers• Seamless multi-dispatcher use with no double
bookings possible• Robust and flexible data communication to vehicles
using modern technologies
Brand (2003)
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Common features of full Dispatch Software (3/3)
• Automatic communication with vehicles and the facility to receive pre-set messages from vehicles
• In-vehicle registering of boarding passengers• Flexible definition of service type, for example, fixed,
semi-fixed, flexible, deviating fixed and free routes• Seamlessly combine a variety of forms of transport
such as taxi, minibus, etc.• Comprehensive and flexible reporting tools for
standard and ad hoc queries
Brand (2003)
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Dispatch Software Developers
MobisoftCSIRO
(Australia)Ecolane
Korsisaari
Softeco Sismat
Eivon DOSK Reaktor InnovationsTrapeze Software
(Canada)Planit Sweden
PROMETHEUSLogical Transport
De LijnPPS/EDV
tod
Ortec
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Possibilities in trip combining
Sihvola (2003)
Separate trips
Trip combining with chained trips Trip combining with overlapped trips
Empty vehicle
Trip made by passenger
Requirements for the vehicle are different, so trips can not be done with the same vehicle
Passengers can not be in the vehicle at the same time, but the trips can be made with the same vehicle
No limitations for the trip combining
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Possible constraints in trip combining
Sihvola (2003)
No constraints for combining Combining is possible, but there is constraints on fixed points of trip
Combining is possible if passengers are notin vehicle at the same time
Combining is not possible
Other fixed point of trip (stop)
Starting point (fixed point of trip)
Trip destination ( ) fixed point of trip
Trip can not be combined
Trip combining possible
Fixed points of trip can not be inserted Passenger properties do not prevent combining and passengers fit in vehicle
Long stop prevents combining after the stop
FD
Bad behaving passenger with mentallyproblems prevents transporting other passengers simultaneously
Passenger with guide dog prevents transporting of allergic passengers with the same vehicle
SS
SS
SS
F D
D
D
DF F
F
SS
SS
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Properties ofpassengers
1.
The logic for trip combining
3a.
3b.
Geographical properties of trips
Schedule of trips
2. Properties ofvehicles and
special properties of trips
Constraints for optimisation process with
passenger properties
Combining is possible if passengers are not in the vehicle at the
same time
Free to CombineThere is constraint
on combining based on fixed points of
trips
Optimisation process with map based dispatch
softwares
Combining is not possible and viable
Combining is possible and viable
Sihvola (2003)
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Optimisation tools
• Public service provider specifies basic elements of optimisation process– Objectives of the system (Cost savings, Improved Level of
Service, etc.)– Boundaries of the optimisation (Criterias of the provided
service)
• TDC operator specifies the optimisation process (operation of the dispatch software)– Optimised variables
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Objectives of the FTS system
• FTS has to cope with the dilemma between the service level and the costs of the transportation service. The better the services are, the higher the costs per unit will be. Determining aspects are:– Booking time limits– Punctuality (promised, actual)– Travel speed and time related to detours in order to create
combinations– Frequency of services– Restrictions caused from other modes of Public Transport– Price (Fare, tariff)– Travel time offset (time-window)
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Example of optimisation process constraints
• Maximum ride time (MRT) - a maximum allowed passenger ride time. • Widest shift at pickup time (WSP) - the maximum delay or early arrival
at pickup time allowed during scheduling• Widest shift at delivery time (WSD) - the maximum early or late arrival
at destination stop allowed during scheduling• Maximum deviation from the shortest route
Ambrosino et al. (2004)
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Schedule optimisation process
• In practice, schedule optimisation uses a combination of preceding criteria that reflect the needs and priorities of the operator and Public Transport policy in region
• Generally, optimisation algorithms attempt to minimise or maximise a value calculated from a mathematical function (eg. a weighted sum) of parameters that reflect the selected optimisation criteria
Ambrosino et al. (2004)
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Degrees of Freedom
• Routing• Timing• Vehicle assignment
Finn (2002)
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Routing
• Deviate on request, return to same point• Deviate on request, return to optimal point• Fixed route on trunk, flexible at one/both ends• Predefine stops/collection points, thread route among
some or all of these• Generate trip directly from requests on freerouting
basis
Finn (2002)
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Timing
• Advance or delay departure time• Pick-up or set-down at a time specified by user• Adjust timing to meet/wait for another transport
service• Choose whether or not to operate a given trip• Time period for switching between fixed route and
flexible services
Finn (2002)
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Vehicle assignment
• Assign vehicle with wheelchair lifts or other facilities for mobility impaired
• Upsize/downsize vehicle to match expected passenger numbers
• Assign smaller/more robust for smaller rural roads• Assign appropriate vehicle/driver if packages/
document handling is required• If few passengers, pass the work to a taxi firm
Finn (2002)
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Optimisation process
• Scientific publications about the schedule optimisation has been widely published
• Good coverage of the publications can be found in the CONNECT Knowledge Library:
www.flexibletransport.com
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Trip request
[t][t]
∆ ∆ tt
[t][t]
∆ ∆ tt
time
Pick-up point
Drop-off point
[[ ]][[ ]][t][t]
time
Service offer
Computed route
Service planning
Softeco (2003)
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Booking and passenger information technology
• The booking function needs to:– Accept the detailed request of the user– Turn this into a specific offer to the user– Efficient process, minimise input/effort, fast
• Tools include:– Input templates for TDC operators– Supporting databases, location tools, gazetteers– Time-window offers, negotiated mobility offer– Auto-booking of return journey, trip to home
EU (2000)
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Telematics-based DRT services
Mageean and Nelson (2003)
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Booking and passenger information technology
• Automated trip booking is possible using– Phone (cell or fixed-line, dial-tone capacity required)– SMS message– WWW browsers– Information kiosk
• Automated trip notification is possible with– regular phones (automated voice responders)– GSM mobile phone– WWW browser
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
IVR automated notification
• IVRS = Interactive Voice Responsive System• With IVRS, the customer makes use of the standard
push buttons of the telephone to compose identification numbers: customer number, departure time and day, departure stop, arrival stop, number of travellers
• A recorded voice leads the trip ordering process
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
IVR automated notification
• Manual booking is initially the least costly method of pre-booking
• As bookings increase the IVRS and Internet booking will offset operator costs
• IVRS and Internet booking have some advantages– available 24 hours– virtually eliminating the possibility of a call not being
answered – which can lead to a lost booking. • Transportation kiosks (Touch screens and magnetic
swipe cards) are quite expensive options, but they do improve the quality of service especially for return booking
Mageean and Nelson (2003)
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Telecommunications: Internet, wireless, positioning
Softeco (2003)
www.flexibletransport.com
Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
In-vehicle equipment (in-vehicle terminals & arch.)
• An in-vehicle terminal (IVT) acts as interface between the TDC, the driver and the vehicle
EU (1999)
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
The in-vehicle units can be distinguished by
• on-board computer• location system• communication system (i.e. the interface to TDC)• passenger device
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Communication between different processes in the IVT
EU (1999)
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
In-vehicle terminal
• Display of trips and routes• Download of new trips and trip modifications from
TDC• Vehicle positioning (GPS, odometer, map matching)• Trip navigation support • Communication with TDC (GSM, GPRS)• Precoded messages (accident, traffic jam, alarm, …)
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
General layout of the DRT driver interface
EU (1999)
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
In-vehicle terminal
• The equipment needed for the vehicle consists of an onboard unit, including a modem, data terminal, key pad, central processing unit (CPU) and the antenna of the Geographical Positioning System (GPS)
• Usually fixed but new applications are based on mobile units based on Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) and the new cellular phone technology
Brand (2003)
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Location system
• Mostly based on GPS• The location sub-system is either a base technology
provided by an existing AVM system or a FTS sub-system.
• In the first case the approach is the one of FTS-AVM integration
• In the second case, the location system is more freely sized to the specific requirements of the FTS System.
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Passenger devices for fare collection
• The smart card permits automated management of payment operations and additional functions such as customer validation or passenger counting– Contact card– Contactless card– Dual Interface
• Other applications (in addition to PT application) can be inserted into the smart card– Traditional public transport– Electronic cash– Library Card– …
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
References
G. Ambrosino, J. D. Nelson, M. Romanazzo (Eds) (2004) “Demand Responsive Transport Services: Towards the Flexible Mobility Agency”, Rome: ENEA.Brand C. (2003) “Transport and Access to Health Care: the Potential of New Information Technology”, University of Oxford, Transport Studies Unit.EU (1999) “INVETE - Intelligent in-vehicle terminal for multimodal flexible collective transport services”, INVETE Project Web site.EU (2000) “A Basic System Architecture and Technical Solutions for DRT”, SAMPLUS Project, Deliverable 4.1.Finn, B. (2002) “FAMS – Demand Responsive Transport Systems: Possibilities of ITS”. INVETE Workshop, 16th May 2002.Mageean J. and Nelson J. (2003) “Demand Responsive Transport Services: Recent European Experience”. Presented at the STELLA project focus group by members of the Transport Operations Research Group, University of Newcastle upon Tyne.Sihvola T. (2003) “Conceptual development of Integrated Multiservice Transportation Centres”, Masters Thesis, Helsinki University of Technology.Softeco (2003) “Personalbus” Slideshow by Softeco Sismat SpA, Provided 14th July 2004.
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Module B: Technologies for FTS
The end of the Module B
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Sihvola (2003)
Properties of passengers
• The properties of passengers are compared
• TDC gets passenger properties from:– Passengers personal service
profile (in the data base of the TDC)
– Passenger informs TDC about his/her properties when making the trip order
• Constraints are based on laws, regulations, local authority instructions and predefined criteria
YES
NO
YES
NO
1a.
1b.
Can passengers be transported with the same vehicle?
Free to CombineCombining is not possible
Can passengers be transported at the same time?
Combining is possible if passengers are not in the vehicle at the
same time
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Sihvola (2003)
Properties of vehicles and special properties of trips
YES
NO
NO
YES
2a.
2b.
Is there room for the passengers in
the vehicle?
Do vehicles or special properties of trips constrain
combining?
Free to CombineThere is constraint
on combining based on fixed points of
trips
Combining is possible if passengers are not in the vehicle at the
same time
• The capacity of vehicle limits combining (2a.)
• Special properties of trip can be e.g.– long stop in the middle of the
trip– special auxiliary device limits
the use of vehicle (electronic wheelchair blocks doorway)
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Flexible Transport Training Module B, 12.7.2004 / LT Consultants Ltd
Module B: Technologies for FTS
Sihvola (2003)
Geographical properties and schedule of trips
• The schedule optimisation process is the most complex part of trip combining
• Mostly it is done with map based dispatching software
• In small systems it is possible to do optimisation process manually
3a.
3b.Schedule of trips
Geographical properties of trips
Free to CombineThere is constraint
on combining based on fixed points of
trips
Combining is not possible and viable
Combining is possible and viable
Combining is possible if passengers are not in the vehicle at the
same time